Burnt Cars and Shattered Glass Across Paris as Protests Turn to Riots and Looting

France woke to widespread damage on Sunday after a day of riots and demonstrations. Shopfronts were smashed, cars and bikes were burnt out, and piles of glass and debris covered the pavements of Paris.

Police arrested about 1,800 people on Saturday, when some 550,000 demonstrators took to the streets. Most of the protests were largely peaceful.

The demonstrators were protesting against rising fuel prices, the cost of living and deteriorating public services, including schools.

Violence Spreads Across Cities

Groups of rioters, some dressed in black and wearing masks and balaclavas, also appeared in Paris, Marseille and other towns and cities. Some set fire to cars and buildings.

Widespread looting took place in Paris, Marseille and Lille, as well as in other areas.

In Paris, protesters clashed with riot police, who used tear gas and water cannon on the crowds. During the day, some groups lit fires in the street and torched vehicles. At least one restaurant was gutted by fire. The BBC saw fighting break out among some groups. Riot police were seen charging at one crowd in central Paris and hitting several people with batons.

In Marseille, protesters broke into the city hall by using a metal fence as a battering ram. In Lille, a McDonald’s was set on fire, police said. An Apple store in the city was also broken into and looted.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said 150 police officers were injured in the unrest.

Morning Clean-Up in Paris

On Sunday morning, residents surveyed the damage. It included the smashed glass frontages of designer stores, among them Ralph Lauren, Gucci and Versace.

Shopkeepers were out early with brooms, picking up large shards of glass. Rubbish trucks worked their way down some of the larger streets to clear debris. Many shops were daubed with graffiti, some reading “tax the rich” and “eat the rich.”

The BBC visited a clothes shop near the Place de la République that had been ransacked. Piles of clothes and furniture were scattered across the shop floor.

The shop’s owner, who asked not to be identified, said he saw looters on CCTV. They were inside the shop for just over an hour and a half, and he saw no police during that time. He said he did not believe those who robbed the shop were genuine protesters against school conditions or the cost of living. He said the looters were taking advantage of the demonstrations.

CCTV footage broadcast by France’s Channel 2 shows groups of teenagers, mostly wearing masks, taking items from the shelves of a shop selling mobile phones.

Student Protests Continue

Student protests have brought hundreds of thousands onto the streets since they began late last month. Protesters have demanded more investment in schools. They have criticised the lack of teachers and staff, overcrowded classrooms and run-down buildings.

Fires and Injuries Reported Elsewhere

In the city of Lyon, Mayor Grégory Doucet said the burning of the city’s tourist office was “a tragedy.” He told French outlet BFMTV that “it breaks our hearts because it’s a very iconic, well-known historic building.” Local police said “hostile individuals” prevented firefighters from safely tackling the blaze.

Fire crews also battled a fire at Limoges town hall, which caused part of the building to collapse. Local officials said the town hall was “largely lost.” Maurice Barate, the prefect for the Haute-Vienne department, said “a wild horde” had “deliberately” set fire to the 143-year-old building.

In Saint-Étienne, a young man “had his hand blown off” by a small explosive, the city’s mayor, Régis Juanico, said on social media. “Such a tragedy should never have happened,” he said.

France’s interior ministry said Saturday’s protests involved “targeted acts of violence” from “hooded individuals” in places including parts of the capital, as well as Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and the western city of Angers. Damage to buildings was reported across France, including in Grenoble, Avignon, Pau, Montpellier and Valence.